Automatic payout device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an automatic device for paying out a bonus on an automatic vending or coin-operated washing machine, the device comprising an intermittently operated ejector plate which transfers the bonus from a reservoir to an ejector chute.

I United States Patent [151 3,640,292

Clairmonte [451 Feb. 8, 1972 [54] AUTOMATIC PAYOUT DEVICE [56] References Cited [72] Inventor: Edward Hugh Clairmonte, New Barnet, UNITED STATES PATENTS England 3,280,827 10 1966 E k 73 Assignee: Clainnonte Bros., Limited, London, En- 133/4 g1 and Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves [22] Filed: Dec. 30, 1969 Assistant Examiner-John P. Shannon, Jr. [21] pp No: 889,068 Attomey-Woodhams, Blanchard and Flynn ABSTRACT [30] Forelgn Apphcafion Pnomy Dam The invention relates to an automatic device for paying out a Jan. 1, 1969 Great Britain ..l53l69 bonus on an automatic vending or coin-operated washing machine, the device comprising an intermittently operated [52] US. Cl ..l33/5 j t l te which transfers the bonus from a reservoir to an 1 lnt. Cl- ...G07d ejector chute [58] Field ofSearch ..l33/4 R,5 R

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures AUTOMATIC PAYOUT DEVICE The invention relates to a device of the kind in which a bonus or premium is paid out occasionallyto an operator when the operator operates a machine to which the device is secured.

Such devices are attached to vending machines, coinoperated washing machines and drycleaning machines, and to any other machine which dispenses goods or services afterthe insertion of a fixed number of coins or tokens.

Devices of this kind are generally operated by solenoids which operate when a pulse of electrical energy is passed through the solenoid cell.

Operation of the solenoid is controlled by a timer or by a system of contacts. Such electrical systems are complicated and costly.

It is among the objects of the invention to avoid these disadvantages.

According to the invention there is providedan automatic feed device for coins, tokens or articles comprising reservoir means for coins, tokens or articles, ejector means cooperating with the reservoir means for ejecting at least one coin, token or article at a time from the reservoir and intermittently operable drive means which is effective to operate the ejector means so that at least one coin, token or article is ejected after a predetermined period from the reservoir means to delivery chute means.

Preferably the intermittently operable drive means may comprise a snail cam.

Suitably the ejection means may comprise a pivotable plate, a part of which may be biassed into engagement with the snail cam during substantially the whole of the revolution of the cam.

Furthermore, the pivotable plate may preferably include an aperture or receiving means into which at least one coin, token or article may be located when an exit from the reservoir and the aperture become coincident.

Preferably also there may suitably be a resilient member at tached between a fixed member and a part of the pivotable plate so that when the cam and plate become disengaged the resilient member urges the pivotable plate into engagement with the cam, the coin, token or article being simultaneously ejected from the device when the aperture in the plate and an exit from the device coincide.

In particular the device according to the invention may suitably be secured to a coin-operated automatic washing machine. The intermittent rotation of the snail cam is brought about by operation of the machine when the operator inserts a coin in a normal coin slot to start the program of washing. Rotation of the cam ceases at the end of the wash. The cam may suitably be rotated by a motor which rotates the cam once, for example, in 24 hours so that several washes are required before the device pays out a bonus or reward.

Any suitable means for moving the ejection means may be utilized in place of the snail cam.

According to the invention furthermore there is provided an automatic feed device in which the electrical circuit comprises a thermal cut out switch in operative communication with the buzzer or bell.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a vertical sectional view through the device just after one paycut has been made, and

FIG. 2 shows a plan view with a housing over the rotatable plate removed.

The device comprises a base 1 to which is secured, as by screwing, a housing 2 and a 24-hour motor 3. A reservoir 4 for coins 5 is secured to the housing and passes through an aperture 6 therein. Within the housing and pivotably mounted thereon by a pin 7 is an ejection means in the form of a plate 8 which includes an aperture or receiving means 9 of a diameter similar to that of the coins 5 in the reservoir 4.

The plate 8 is connected via return means in the form of a rod and arm 10 and a return spring 11 to a member comprising post 12 secured to the baseboard l.

The housing includes a slot (not shown) of such a configuration as to allow passage of the vertical part 18 of the rod 10 when the plate pivots on the pin 7.

A snail-shaped cam 13 is mounted on a spindle l4 driven by the 24-hour motor 3. The cam engages a cam follower 15 which is an integral part of the plate 8.

The base 1 includes an aperture 16 which has a diameter equal or greater than the coins in the reservoir.

The plate 8 is mounted so that when the snail cam is disengaged from the follower 15, the apertures 9 and 16 are coincident since the plate 8.is urged to the right by the return spring 11.

Assuming that the device is attached to a coin-operated washing machine in a launderette and it is desired to pay a fixed bonus from time to time to the operator using the washing machine at the expiry of a fixed time, operation of the device is as follows:

Just after one bonus has been paid, the apertures 9 and 16 are coincident as the cam ramp part 17 of the snail cam has passed out of engagement with the follower 15 on the plate 8, whereby follower 15 is thus urged against the smallest radius portion of the cam 13.

Another customer then places a coin in the washing machine to start a wash. The action of inserting the coin also starts the motor 3. The snail cam 13 rotates and engages the follower 15 on the plate 8, which is rotated about the pin 7 towards the reservoir against the action of the return spring 11.

When the wash ceases the motor 3 is automatically cut out and movement of the plate ceases.

When the washing machine is again started by insertion of a coin the plate is moved another small angular distance.

This sequence continues during each wash, until nearly 24 hours time has elapsed and the cam has made almost one revolution. Thus if one wash lasts half an hour, 48 washes will take place before a bonus is due to be paid.

Towards the end of one revolution of the cam, the aperture 9 in the plate 8 and the exit 6 of the coin reservoir coincide and a number of coins for example five, depending on the thickness of the plate, fall into the aperture of the plate. As the snail cam continues to rotate, the cam follower 15 on the plate and the part 17 of the cam become disengaged. The plate is in stantaneously urged by the return spring to the initial position with the apertures 9 and 16 in alignment. The coins are then ejected from the device through the aperture 16 to a delivery chute (not shown) andthe cycle starts once more.

When a bonus is paid by the machine, an electrical relay (not shown) is actuated to illuminate a light bulb and to actuate a buzzer so that users of the launderette are informed when a bonus has been paid. Suitably a simple inertia switch operated by an impact from the arm 10 on the plate may be used to operate a self-latching relay which actuates the light bulb and buzzer.

A thermal switch may suitably cut out the buzzer after a short time for example, 30 seconds and the light may remain on until the end of that operating period, when the selflatching relay may be released.

The device is preferably run from the mains power supply which is fed to the washing machine itself.

It is to be understood that devices according to the invention may be incorporated one on each washing machine in a coin operated launderette, and the device may be adjusted so that a bonus is paid out after different periods of total working time. Also the device may be mounted on a vending or dispensing machine in which case the bonus would equally be money or goods dispensed by the machine.

lclaim:

l. A device for dispensing coins, tokens or the like, comprising in combination:

baseplate means;

housing means coacting with and mounted on said baseplate means and defining a recess therebetween;

reservoir means in the form of a cylindrical tube adapted to receive a plurality of coins or tokens, said reservoir means having a bottom portion extending through said housing means for communication with said recess and terminating spaced apart from said baseplate means;

ejector plate means pivotably mounted on said housing means and said baseplate means and positioned partly within said recess, a part of said ejector plate means extending through an open end of said recess and having a cam follower surface thereon;

drive motor means operable noncontinuously and having a drive spindle projecting therefrom;

cam means mounted on said drive spindle whereby rotation of said spindle by said drive motor means causes said cam means to engage said cam follower surface;

said ejector plate means having an orifice extending therethrough of substantially the same diameter as said reservoir means, and said baseplate means having delivery chute means situated therein;

said ejector plate means being pivotally movable between a first end position wherein said orifice is in alignment with said reservoir means and a second end position wherein said orifice is in communication with said delivery chute means; and

biasing means urging said ejector plate means to said second end position;

whereby when said drive motor means rotates said drive spindle and said cam means, said cam means rotates and, being in engagement with said cam follower surface, pivots said ejector plate means into said first end position so that said ejector plate means receives in said orifice coins or tokens from said reservoir means and, when said cam means disengages said cam follower surface, the ejector plate means returns under the influence of the biasing means to said second end position and releases said coins or tokens into said delivery chute means.

2. A dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said cam means is a snail-shaped cam and said biasing means includes spring means anchored at one end to said baseplate means and at the other end to said ejector plate means.

3. A dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a return spring anchored at one end to a post mounted on said baseplate means and at the other end to an arm of right-angle configuration mounted on said ejector plate means, an upright limb of said right-angle arm protruding through slot means in said housing means, said slot means being of a configuration corresponding to the path of movement of said ejector plate means between said two end positions, whereby the upright limb passing through said slot means is not fouled by said housing means during pivotal movement of said ejector plate means between said first and second end positions.

4. A dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said cam means is a snail-shaped cam and said motor means is driven intermittently so that said ejector plate means is rotated stepwise from said second end position to said first end position.

5. A dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said bottom portion of said cylindrical tube forming said reservoir means is in engagement with a planar upper surface of said ejector plate means, and said ejector plate means being pivotal about a vertical axis and having a thickness to accommodate a plurality of coins or tokens.

6. A dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said cam means is a snail-shaped cam, and the dimensions thereof and of the cam follower surface in engagement therewith being such that the first end position of movement of the ejector plate means is arrived at at an instant of time prior to disengagement of the cam from the cam follower surface, whereby said coins or tokens are received in said orifice before said bias ing means is o erative to return said ejector plate means to said second en position in which said coins or tokens are released to said delivery chute means and said cam follower surface once more engages said cam. 

1. A device for dispensing coins, tokens or the like, comprising in combination: baseplate means; housing means coacting with and mounted on said baseplate means and defining a recess therebetween; reservoir means in the form of a cylindrical tube adapted to receive a plurality of coins or tokens, said reservoir means having a bottom portion extending through said housing means for communication with said recess and terminating spaced apart from said baseplate means; ejector plate means pivotably mounted on said housing means and said baseplate means and positioned partly within said recess, a part of said ejector plate means extending through an open end of said recess and having a cam follower surface thereon; drive motor means operable noncontinuously and having a drive spindle projecting therefrom; cam means mounted on said drive spindle whereby rotation of said spindle by said drive motor means causes said cam means to engage said cam follower surface; said ejector plate means having an orifice extending therethrough of substantially the same diameter as said reservoir means, and said baseplate means having delivery chute means situated therein; said ejector plate means being pivotally movable between a first end position wherein said orifice is in alignment with said reservoir means and a second end position wherein said orifice is in communication with said delivery chute means; and biasing means urging said ejector plate means to said second end position; whereby when said drive motor means rotates said drive spindle and said cam means, said cam means rotates and, being in engagement with said cam follower surface, pivots said ejector plate means into said first end position so that said ejector plate means receives in said orifice coins or tokens from said reservoir means and, when said cam means disengages said cam follower surface, the ejector plate means returns under the influence of the biasing means to said second end position and releases said coins or tokens into said delivery chute means.
 2. A dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said cam means is a snail-shaped cam and said biasing means includes spring means anchored at one end to said baseplate means and at the other end to said ejector plate means.
 3. A dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a return spring anchored at one end to a post mounted on said baseplate means and at the other end to an arm of right-angle configuration mounted on said ejector plate means, an upright limb of said right-angle arm protruding through slot means in said housing means, said slot means being of a configuration corresponding to the path of movement of said ejector plate means between said two end positions, whereby the upright limb passing through said slot means is not fouled by said housing means during pivotal movement of said ejector plate means between said first and second end positions.
 4. A dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said cam means is a snail-shaped cam and said motor means is driven intermittently so that said ejector plate means is rotated stepwise from said second end position to said first end position.
 5. A dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said bottom portion of said cylindrical tube forming said reservoir means is in engagement with a planar upper surface of said ejector plate means, and said ejector plate means being pivotal about a vertical axis and having a thickness to accommodate a plurality of coins or tokens.
 6. A dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said cam means is a snail-shaped cam, and the dimensions thereof and of the cam follower surface in engagement therewith being such that the first end position oF movement of the ejector plate means is arrived at at an instant of time prior to disengagement of the cam from the cam follower surface, whereby said coins or tokens are received in said orifice before said biasing means is operative to return said ejector plate means to said second end position in which said coins or tokens are released to said delivery chute means and said cam follower surface once more engages said cam. 